7 Things to Know about Highly Sensitive People

7 Things to Know about Highly Sensitive People

Recognizing the Gifts of Being with Highly Sensitive People

Understanding Sensitive People takes effort. Yet it’s definitely worth your while.  About 20% of people are sensitive.  Basically, what this means is that we (I am including myself) react more to life’s stimulation. At times, it’s not as easy for us sensitive people to screen out certain stimuli.  Things can become overwhelming for us if we aren’t mindful to our comfort zones.

Anyway, in the recent past, I was talking to my Craniosacral Therapist about my sensitivities in group relationships, and she recommended the book, “The Highly Sensitive Person“, by Elaine N. Aron.  As I began to take the test in the beginning of the book, I checked off almost every single characteristic of a Highly Sensensive Person (HSP).  Wow, this woman understood my life without even meeting me!

Honestly, I can’t tell you how alone I have felt (on a certain personality level) for a long time being highly sensitive.  Most of the world either masks it or is less sensitized.  I have processed things and been in the healing and therapist field for close to 30 years.  I have worked on boundaries and so many things.  Yet, still-when I walk into a room, I feel the mood of the people, and all the nuances in human relationship.  I hardly miss a thing, especially emotionally.  This even extends to plants, trees, and watching a bird fly.  It’s as if I feel ever flap of the wings. My heart resonates.  Yet I also feel very vulnerable.

At the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, we learned to develop what Barbara called “HSP” Higher Sense Perception.  Same acronym.  This is a fine tuning of seeing, feeling, tasting, sensing etc at a very subtle level.  This helps people who work with energy or relationships to become astute and skillful in meeting people in connection,  the auric field and other dimensions. This has benefited my clients in that I can deeply sense stress, pain, and dysfunction simply by tuning in.  When I do this, I can use my sensitivity skills to help ignite the healing response within.

For me, being aligned with my sensitive nature is tremendously helpful in my work.  I can sense things and support where others may not. On a fine level, I gather so much information through listening and melding.  I know how to meet the “Other” in a gentle manner with touch which can encourage wonderful openings.  At the same time, I often have to take some alone time afterwards to settle and digest life experiences.  Being senstive doesn’t necessarily make me an introvert, but I do need to rest and integrate often. Self care is crucial.

Aron, writes in her book that our mind/body experiences are different and unique.  Some of our positive traits that she mentions are:

1. We are better at spotting errors and avoiding making errors.

2. Highly conscientious.

3. Able to concentrate deeply on things where we are drawn.

4. Especially good at tasks requiring vigilance, accuracy, speed and detection of minor differences

5. Good at being able to process materials at deeper levels.

6. Deeply affected by other people’s moods, which help us to understand and be more present.

7.  Able to learn without being aware we have learned.

There is so much great material in this book.  What I like best about it is that I don’t feel so alone in that I feel different than so many others.  Also, It helped me to refocus on the gifts of this personality I have lived with.  I feel so aware of the interconnection of all of life.  I feel it deeply.  Sometimes, life hurts as the casing around the heart breaks wide open, but I am also able to have such profound life experiences.  I have become emotionally stronger in my vulnerablity and can hold that for others in “Presence”

I am sharing today about being sensitive, and I hope this helps someone else recognize that there are many other of us around. We need to learn to accept ourselve and find the seeds of truth and kindness inside to make this life of sensitivy so worthwhile. We do this through self nourishment and awakening to our authentic selves.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

 

 

How to Love Your Body No matter How it Looks

Love Your Body, Mind and Spirit

Here are some tips for Shifting your Mindset about your body.  It takes time to Learn to Love Your Body.

  • Every morning before you get out of bed, bring mindfulness to your body and sense into it.  Forget any preconceived ideas that you have believed. Living in these bodies are pretty miraculous. The good news is that we have plenty of fresh new starts. 
  • When you get out of bed, feel into the Ok-ishness of your body.  This is the beginning of practicing self-acceptance.  Any perfection thoughts need to be put on the shelf!
  • Be mindful about how you speak about your body. You can change the patterning of your thinking.  Drive in a new lane.  The Love Your Body Lane. Eventually your belief system changes when you drop the old thoughts.
  • Every person deserves to feel love.  And we are all different and unique in how we are configured.  Realize that norms are group beliefs. It really says nothing about you.  The more you move inward, you self-realized your essence.  Imagine what it would be like if we all could appreciate the different skins in which we live.
  • Question your thoughts.  Byron Kate,has great free worksheet for this in the website The Work 
  • Receiving bodywork can bring a whole new awareness to you body.In our society, so much emphasis is placed on what is going on inside of our heads.  However, we are whole people, body, mind and spirit. For example, Craniosacral Therapy is great for helping you to embody.
  • Meditation is a great way to open your mind about your body.  It gives you a sense of understanding through neutral listening and understanding.  It also opens up the path to compassion.
  • Exercise.  Find movement that is comfortable and fun. Even basic walking can make you feel better.
  • Choose foods that are healthy.  Maybe start a garden for herbs or fruits and vegetables.  We feel good when we partake in the organic processes which sustanin us.

When you are alone, take off the clothes and get comfortable in your skin.  Turn off your computers/phones/ and TVs.  Relax and Breathe.  Know Yourself!

Our culture makes it hard sometimes for people to accept and love your body.  Yet, we have many choice points to make up our own minds about how we related internally.  You are the Captain of Your Own Ship.  Sail the seas of Self-Love.  Learn to be Ok with who you are- body, feelings, thoughts and all.   

It’s not always each, but choosing change is a great intention.

With gratitude-

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

 

Find Somato Therapist Near Me

Find Somato Therapist Near Me

Somato Centered Therapy on the Table

The Concept of Somato centered bodywork, was incorporated into the therapeutic process of Craniosacral Therapy many years ago at the Upledger Institute.

SomatoEmotional Release (SER) is a theraeputic process that employs and expands the principles of  Craniosacral Therapy through dialogue.

This particular type of somato communication can be done in silence, or when a person begins to process, verbal cues or responses may be offered for self-discovery work.  Mostly this is practiced when the Craniosacral Rythm is moving the client through a profound change.  However, it is not the job of a Craniosacral Therapist to counsel.  Instead, we are trained to support a person who in on the table, and who is being challenged or needs help moving through cellular memory developmental or trauma experiences.  We have been trained to be very gentle and to offer some techniques that take the client inward to help them find their own deep well of Inner Resources.

Each Craniosacral Therapist has their own unique skillset to help in dialogue work.  Personally, I have studied Hakomi for two years, 8 years at the Barbara Brennan School Of healing, and also studied at SPI to help my clients who have gone through trauma.

This body centered work is powerful and gentle with an organic and mindful approach to healing.  It feels very integrative to our clients, as well as self-empowering.

If you want to “find a craniosacral therapist near me”,  I offer free 10 minute phone calls to support your discovery process in finding the best CST for you!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D. Trauma Informed Work

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

6797 N. High St. #333 Worthington, Ohio 43085

7 Ideas How to Discover Your Inner Light

7 Ideas How to Discover Your Inner Light

It’s time to shine Your Inner Light

There are Inner Light  moments in every person’s life that bring an “Ah ha” experience.  Personal Transformation is a gift that is brought to each of us whether we feel ready or not.  Inner Light is always present, waiting until we can accept our True Selves.

When these new awarenesses come to us, we have a choice.  Do we like the familiarity of where we are now in our lives, or are we ready to expand and grow in wisdom and in heart?  If you feel ready to embark into fulfilling your real potential, read on.  These are 7 ideas which can help you navigate your journey:

  • The Hero’s Journey is not for the feint of heart.  Yet it is available for you by committing to know your Authentic Self, and your purpose to be here.  Usually something spurs you into change.  It is often a deep life challenge. In any case, it will take courage and an intention to be self-aware and self-accountable for what you believe, how you feel, and how you act.  Acknowledging this is the beginning.
  • Fear may be waiting at your door.  The sooner that you realize that fear is not the enemy, the doubts will melt away. Fear is a physiological experience in the body.  It is set for survival.  When you start down this path, you will be breaking through old boundaries to move deeper and farther. Allow your fear to guide you into trusting your Higher Self.
  • Teachers will appear.  A teacher can be anything really. It can be a person, a tree, your dog, or even spiritual beings.  Life is full of teachers.  However, there will be guidance that will light the path ahead if you pay attention.
  • Where I went to school and eventually taught, at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing  the next step which was taught was dropping down into the belly of the beast.  What this meant to me was discovering my shadows and my deepest fears and regrets.  Often it is a serious event in your life that feels difficult.  For people, this is natural time to build strength and spiritual context to help us navigate in life and live through positive intention. You and all human beings must face things that we don’t want to face in order to grow.  Can you see this as an opportunity?
  • When you connect to your Core Essence, everything you need will appear.  This doesn’t mean to make life easier, but it does give you the internal resources to transform and become more deeply enlightened.
  • Next, the wave of integration comes and enlivens your cells and your sense of Being.  Your Inner Light shines brighter.
  • Finally you will feel full and connected in ways you never imagined.  Life will become more easy to navigate as you feel more embodied and anchored into your Being.

Right now the earth and all human beings are being called to raise to the next level of enlightenment.  Each of us is unique, but the journey is similar in its construction.  I write this so that you realize that you are not alone when the mystery knocks on your door.  I want to remind your journey is your own, yet will make a huge impact on the rest of us as you strengthen the lines of interconnection of life.

Prayers to all of us and those who who do not choose to move toward the Inner Light. But what a great opportunity for us as people to experience life with transformation and transcendence.  Peace be with you.

Book Recommendation for your journey:  Hands of Light

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

6797 N. High St. #333 Worthington, Ohio 43085

I Don’t Know How to Feel

I Don’t Know How to Feel

Do You Know How to Feel?

From where I am listening, Billie Eilish is taking music to the next level.  Her songs are helping the younger generation to know how to feel. However, it’s not just Gen Z and Gen Alpha, but truly anyone can appreciate the talent she brings forth through her music.  I am in my 60’s, and her albums call me inward.  I am amazed at her mindfulness,  talent and the messages in her music.

Most recently, I have been listening  to her songs a lot. “What I Was Made For” is just one of the many songs that has touched me. An artist, she creates a story about self- discovery.  She takes us through a journey of healing over and over again through her delicate, gentle, and soft storytelling voice.  My guess is that so many people are awakening to feeling through her sound.

I think about the work I do with Craniosacral Therapy. So much of it is about Healing.  Listening to the music inside of each person, there is a symphony waiting to happen.  An expression.  A Happening.  We only need to tune in and blend into the wave and the rhythm. Although it is a very physical process, it’s similar in that it is a mindful dance with life.  Billie is fortunate, in that she delivers on a huge scale exploring how to feel.  Open minds are fortunate in having life teaching through voice in such a courageous and talented way.

I admire the vulnerability in stating the collective human challenge right now in , “I don’t know how to feel”.  So much of the violence which is happening in the world today is because beliefs get in the way of our protected emotions.  We really are at a stage where it is worth the risk to open up more and be our own artists.

I hope that Billie and more young people catch this groove and continue to expose and be transparent and honest.  We need this in the world today.  As a soon to be grandmother, I enjoy seeing the world change, and the people in it.  Let’s move forward for freedom of individuality, but also in love and acceptance for ourselves and for others.

Break the cycle.  Be open to Learn How to Feel!  Open the door.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

6797 N. High St. #333 Worthington, Ohio 43085

How to Sense Your Body with Somatic Gentle Touch

How to Sense Your Body with Somatic Gentle Touch

What is Somatic Bodywork?

It is a form of body centered therapy that focuses on the living experience of embodiment.  The term, “somatic” comes from the greek word “body”.

There are different schools that teach various approaches to Somatic Bodywork.  Some of them are:  The Hakomi Institute,  The Upledger Institute, The Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, and Peter Levines’  the Trauma Healing School.

In my past experience of studying Hakomi, SER Therapy, and Trauma Therapy at SPI, I have learned Somatic techniques with both psychotherapists and also bodyworkers.  The boundaries are a bit tricky from both ends due to licensing in each state around touch and therapy. Generally, manual Bodyworkers use somatic-emotional type of therapy to support any type of emotional or spiritual arising that occurs while working with the body primarily within a session.  On the other hand,  psychotherapists focus on the mind body relationship more from a distance.  Yet each state has different laws that must be checked to keep within the license of practice.

Hakomi uses mindfulness as its key to developmental issues and to “heal attachment wounds”.  At SPI, my training was more directed toward supporting any type of trauma that shows up on the table in a session.  While I have not studied the SE Work, my understanding is that is similar to SPI’s focus on trauma.

Basically, what we are working with  is an emotional response to distressing events.  Some call this cellular memory. It is usually something that has not processed all the way through,

All of these modalities, help to release stress, tension and sometimes trauma from the body.  I tend to focus most of my work on the table with gentle Craniosacral Somato-Emotional presence. When something deep or painful arises while I am melded with the person’s body, I may delve into my other techniques to help my clients come to their own deeper inner resources for completion.  Often the healing response comes from sensing within.  Working from a bottom of approach can help to integrate things that are not as available as in only talk therapy.

Remember, that if you are looking for a therapist to help you to heal deeply,  that most programs and schools teach us to create a safe and trusting environment first and foremost.  Still,  it is important to interview and ask your therapist about their experience and backgrounds.  Find the person who fits your needs best.  All therapist have unique approaches.

Somatic Therapy is very helpful because it integrates the mind and body beautifully.

If you have any questions, contact me, and I offer free 10 minute phone sessions.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

6797 N. High #333 Worthington, Ohio 43085

 

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